Resetting mechanism for electric relays



' 1967 R. H. JOHNSON RESETTING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC RELAYS Filed March 26, 1964 F/GZ //2 van for /?0/p/v Johnsan By Ms olfomeys United States Patent M 3,301,083 RESETTING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC RELAYS Ralph H. Johnson, Manchester, Coun., assignor to The Arrow-Hart & Hegeman Electric Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Mar. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 354,853 6 Claims. (Cl. 74-471) This invention relates to resetting mechanism for overload responsive relays and, more particularly, to means adapted to be attached to conventional resetting buttons or push-rods of conventional electric relays, such as, for example, thermal overload relays or the like, which are commonly used in connection with electromagnetic contactors. The invention is not limited, however, to use with thermal overload relays, but may be used in connection with any devices operated by push-rods or buttons similar to those herein described.

Overload relays are commonly used in pairs in connection with three-wide electromagnetic contactors. When an overload occurs and both relays operate, i.e. trip open, it is desirable to be able to close both by simultaneously depressing their operating push-rods or buttons. When only one or the other of the relays opens, it is desirable also to be able to close the tripped relay by operation of the same means which is used to cause the simultaneous closing of both.

According to the present invention, a transverse bar overlies the push rod-s or buttons and is connected to them by novel flexible clips which enable one or both buttons to trip open, i.e. rise from a normally depressed condition without hindrance; also, one button may be depressed or both depressed simultaneously by pressure applied to the transverse bar.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel connection between the push-rods or buttons of electric relays, such as thermal overload relays or the like, and the transverse connecting bar for operating them simultaneously.

Another object is to provide such as connection which may be molded or formed in such shape that engagement of the transverse bar with the connection will cause it to grip or more securely embrace the push-rods or buttons of the relays and which will prevent disengagement of the connection from the buttons due to vibration or any normal force which might otherwise cause undesired disengagement of the connection from the but-ton and bar.

Another object is to provide such a connection which may be slipped quickly and easily onto the push-rods or buttons and as readily and easily engaged with the common transverse operating rod.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as it is described in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two thermal overload relays to which the invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail side elevation view of the clip or connection embodying the invention for connecting the transverse bar and the push-rods or buttons of the relays.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with the transverse rod in engagement with the clip.

Referring to the drawing, the usual base plate of the conventional electromagnetic contactor assembly (the contactors being omitted for clarity) has thermally responsive relays 12 and 14 mounted in spaced relation near each side edge of the plate 10. Two such relays are shown in outline, but the invention may be used with more than two; or the invention may be applied to the relays without a contactor being mounted on the base 10.

3,301,083 Patented Jan. 31, 1967 The specific method and place of mounting of the relays and the particular construction of the relays is immaterial so long as the relays are in spaced parallel relation.

The relays may be of any comm-on or conventional type, such as the type disclosed in the H. E. Schleicher Patent 2,322,161, issued June 15, 1943, this type being mentioned merely as an example of one type to which the invention is particularly adaptable.

Each relay has an operating push-rod 15, 15 which, for convenience, hereinafter will be referred to as a button. Formed in the opposite sides of the parallel forwardly extending or upstanding edges of the buttons near their tops are notches 16 for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

Extending transversely between the relay buttons and overlying the tops thereof is a bar, preferably rectangular in cross-section and formed of molded insultation or any other suitable material, for simultaneously depressing both of the buttons or one or the other of the buttons as may be required.

To attach the bar 18 to the buttons, identical connecting members or clips, designated generally by the numeral 22, are formed to be slid downwardly onto the tops of the buttons and to be engaged transversely by the bar 18.

The clips may be made of any material possessing suiticient toughness and enough flexibility for the purposes hereinafter described. Nylon has been found to be a very satisfactory material since it can be molded and worked easily and is self-lubricating and tough so as not to be easily broken or damaged.

Since the clips are identical, only one need be described. Each comprises at body portion 21 in the form of a cap which has an external recess whose cross-section is the same as the cross-section of the top portion of the button onto which it is to be slidably fitted. Y

Formed integrally as one piece with and connected to the lower edges of the cap portion 21 are arms 22 and 24, respectively, of generally C-sha-pe, which extend upwardly and around the cap portion 21 and have integral fingers 23 and 25, respectively, extending inwardly in posi tion to overlie the parallel longitudinal edges of the top surface of the bar 1 8. For this purpose, the arms are positioned and spaced apart a distance slightly less than the Width of the bar 18 so that when the bar 18 is inserted between the arms 22 and 24, they are slightly spread apart as shown in FIG. 3. The arms are formed so as to be capable of some flexing upon the application of moderate manual force, but to also possess considerable stiffness so that when spread apart, the arms 22 and 24 pivot or bend about their connection to the bottom outer opposite edges of the cap portion, as shown in FIG. 3. In so doing, the lower inner edges or shoulders 26 and 28 of the clip enter the opposite notches 16 of the button, thus affording a firm grip on the button. For this purpose, the shoulders are relatively more massive than the connection of the arms to the cap portion.

Since the distance which the shoulders 26 and 28 are apart when the "bar is engaged with the clips is less than the width of the button, the clips cannot slip or be shaken otf by the vibrations incident to operation of the electromagnetic contactor or any other vibration to Which the buttons may be subjected. Indeed, the clips cannot be pulled olf except by the exercise of extraordinary force abnormal to what is experienced in common usage.

The bar 18 may be slipped endwise into engagement with the clips or one edge of the bar may be engaged under one finger, such as 23, and the bar may be pressed into engagement with the other finger which will snap over the top edge of the bar due to the flexibility of the 22 and 24. The friction between the bar and the arms and cap portions of the two (or more) clips is 3 sufficient to hold the bar and clips in assembled condition.

.Due to the flexibility of the clip, .it is possible for one button to trip to openaposition, that is to say, to rise from a normally depressed condition to an upper or nondepressed condition. Equally well, both buttons may trip either together or one after the other and they may be then depressed simultaneously by pushing upon the 'bar.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention provides a novel connection or clip between a transverse operating bar for operating the buttons of two or more parallel relays so that the buttons of the relays may be depressed individually or simultaneously when one or both relays have been tripped, or are located in non-depressed condition.

The invention is equally useful and adaptable when the relays are set for manual operation as described in said Schleicher Patent 2,322,161.

Modifications within the scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the precise form of the parts as illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:

1. The means for connecting and jointly operating a plurality of like parallel non-rotary depressible members comprising, a bar member overlying the ends of said depressible members, individual members for each depressible member separate from said bar member connecting said bar member to said depressible members, each connecting member having a cap portion slidably fitted axially on a depressible member, individual arm portions extending sidewise from each said cap portion from opposite sides thereof and embracing opposite side edges of said bar member and including finger parts overlying the outer surface of said bar portion.

2. The means for connecting and jointly operating a plurality of like parallel depressible members comprising, a bar member overlying the ends of said depressible members, members connecting said bar member to said de pressible members, each connecting member having a cap portion slidably fitted on a depressible member, arm portions extending from said cap portion from opposite sides thereof and embracing opposite sides of said bar member and including finger parts overlying the outer surface of said bar portion, and means causing said cap portion to firmly grip said depressible member upon engagement of said bar member with said connecting member.

3. The means for connecting and jointly operating a plurality of like parallel depressible members comprising, a bar member overlying the ends of said depressible members, members connecting said bar member to said depressible members, each connecting member having a cap portion slidably fitted on a depressible member, arms 'bendably connected to said cap portion and extending from said cap portion from opposite sides thereof and embracing opposite sides of said bar member and including finger parts overlying the outer surface of said bar portion, said bar member causing flexure of said arms in assembled position of said bar member and connecting member and thus causing firm gripping of the depressible member by said connecting member.

4. The means for connecting and jointly operating a plurality of like parallel depressible members comprising, a bar member overlying the ends of said depressible members, members connecting said bar member to said depressible members, each connecting member having a cap portion slidably fitted on a depressible member, flexible arms 'bendably connected to the periphery of said cap portion on opposite sides thereof and embracing opposite sides of said bar member and including finger parts overlying the outer surface of said bar portion, the width of said bar member being greater than the distance between the parts of said arms which the bar member engages thereby pressing said arms apart in assembled position and causing said cap member to more firmly grip said depressible member.

5. The combination with at least two depressible members, of a bar member overlying the ends of said depressible members, said depressible members having notches in opposite side edges thereof, members connecting said bar member and said depressible members, each connecting member having a cap portion slidably fitted on a depressible member, arm portions extending from said cap portion on opposite sides thereof, said arm portions being bendably connected to said cap portion and having shoulder portions adjacent said notches, and means causing said shoulders to enter said notches when said bar member and connecting member are in assembled condition.

6. The combination with at least two depressible members, of a bar member overlying the ends of said depressible members, said depressible members having notches in opposite side edges thereof, members connecting said bar member and said depressible members, each connecting member having a cap portion slidably fitted on a depressible member, arm portions extending from said cap portion on opposite sides thereof, said arm portions being bendably connected to said cap portion and having shoulder portions adjacent said notches, said bar member causing flexure of said arm portions in assembled position of said bar member and said connecting member, said fiexure causing said shoulder portions to enter said notches to maintain all said members in assembled position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,692,883 11/1928 Bennett 74-48l 2,773,949 12/ 1956 Edmunds. 2,813,938 11/1957 Spiezman 20042 2,941,418 6/1960 Esser et al. 74551 X 3,004,370 10/1961 Tinnerman 28749 X 3,159,048 12/1964 Clifford 20050.3 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 2,120 of 1900 Great Britain.

FRED C. MATTERN, JR., Primary Examiner.

MILTON KAUFMAN, Examiner.

C. F. GREEN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. THE MEANS FOR CONNECTING AND JOINTLY OPERATING A PLURALITY OF LIKE PARALLEL NON-ROTARY DEPRESSIBLE MEMBERS COMPRISING, A BAR MEMBER OVERLYING THE ENDS OF SAID EDPRESSIBLE MEMBERS, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS FOR EACH DEPRESSIBLE MEMBER SEPARATE FROM SAID BAR MEMBER CONNECTING SAID BAR MEMBER TO SAID DEPRESSIBLE MEMBERS, EACH CONNECTING MEMBER HAVING A CAP PORTION SLIDABLY FITTED AXIALLY ON A DEPRESSIBLE MEMBER, INDIVIDUAL ARM PORTIONS EXTENDING SIDEWISE FROM EACH SAID CAP PORTION FROM OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF AND EMBRACING OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES OF SAID BAR MEMBER AND INCLUDING FINGER PARTS OVERLYING THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID BAR PORTION. 